Umbrella table with inlaid turntable

ABSTRACT

An umbrella table with an inlaid turntable is disclosed. The table includes a tabletop having a substantially planar top surface with a circular aperture therein. A disc is rotatably mounted in the circular aperture. The disc has a substantially planar upper surface and a central opening therethrough. The top surface of the tabletop and the upper surface of the disc are substantially coplanar, and the central opening is capable of receiving a cylindrical shaft such as the shaft of an umbrella.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/641,873,filed Aug. 15, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to tables, and more particularly relates to anumbrella table having an inlaid turntable or “Lazy Susan” that issubstantially flush with a stationary top surface of the table andincludes an umbrella-receiving bore therethrough.

BACKGROUND

Umbrella tables are a common type of outdoor furniture. Umbrella tablestypically include a stationary tabletop having a central opening forreceiving a shaft or pole of an umbrella. The umbrella pole extendsthrough the central opening in the tabletop such that the hood portionof the umbrella substantially shields the underlying tabletop and someor all of its occupants from sun and weather. An umbrella base typicallyis positioned below the central opening in the tabletop to receive andsupport the lower end of the umbrella pole. The portions of the tabletopthat surround the umbrella pole are available for supporting variousarticles such as dishes and flatware for dining. Because umbrella tablesare used outdoors, umbrella tables are typically constructed of weatherresistant materials such as metal and glass. In recent years, decorativecast aluminum umbrella tables increasingly have become popular.

Indoor “self-waiting” tables are also known. Such self-waiting tablesare typically constructed of wood, and include integral turntables or“Lazy Susans” mounted at or near their centers. One such self-waitingtable is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 958,672. The integrally-mountedturntable permits items of food or the like to be placed on theturntable and moved from one location on the table to another as desiredfor convenient and easy access to persons positioned around the table.While such tables can be useful, such tables are not suited forextensive outdoor use, and do not provide a means for supporting anumbrella for shielding an underlying table and its occupants from sunand weather.

Others have attempted to provide a turntable for use with an umbrellatable by providing a separate turntable that sits atop a tabletop andincludes a central bore for passing a shaft of an umbrella therethrough.Such turntables can be positioned directly over a central opening in anumbrella table such that an umbrella pole can be inserted through boththe turntable and the aligned opening in the tabletop. One suchturntable is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,946. Others have providedrotatable trays that mount on and around a portion of an umbrella polethat extends above a tabletop of an umbrella table. One such rotatabletray is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,712. Unfortunately, suchturntables and rotating shelves or trays can interfere with the use ofthe stationary top surface of an umbrella table. In particular, suchturntables and shelves decrease the amount of useful stationary surfacearea on an umbrella table. In addition, because such turntables andshelves protrude above the upper surfaces of their underlying tabletops,these items can actually interfere with passing items directly betweenpersons seated on opposite sides of an umbrella table when such personsdo not desire to use a turntable or rotating shelf to pass such items.Furthermore, such after-market turntables and rotating shelves candetract from the ornamental appearance of an umbrella table.

Therefore, there is a need for an umbrella table and turntable in whichthe turntable does not detract from the useful surface area of thetable. In addition, there is a need for a turntable that is visuallycompatible with the ornamental appearance of an ornamented umbrellatable. Further, there is a need for a turntable and umbrella tablewherein the turntable does not protrude above the top surface of thetable, and therefore does not provide an obstacle between opposite sidesof the table.

SUMMARY

The invention includes a table including a tabletop having asubstantially planar top surface with a circular aperture therein. Thetable also includes a disc that is rotatably mounted in the circularaperture. The disc includes a substantially planar upper surface and acentral opening therethrough. The top surface of the tabletop and theupper surface of the disc are substantially coplanar, and the centralopening is capable of receiving a cylindrical shaft such as an umbrellapole.

The invention also includes an umbrella table with a tabletop having asubstantially planar top surface. The umbrella table also includes aturntable having a substantially planar upper surface and a central boretherethrough. The upper surface of the turntable is substantially flushwith the top surface of the tabletop. The central bore is sized andconfigured to receive an umbrella pole, and the turntable issubstantially free to rotate when the umbrella pole is received in thecentral bore.

The invention further includes an umbrella table with a tabletop havinga first surface portion, a second surface portion that is substantiallycoplanar with the first surface portion, and an umbrella-receivingopening. The umbrella table further includes means for rotating thesecond surface portion relative to the first surface portion.

These and other aspects of the invention will be evident from a readingof the following descriptions of embodiments of the invention togetherwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an umbrella tableaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the umbrella table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tabletop portion of the umbrellatable shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along line 3-3 as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the center portion of the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a is a top plan view of the turntable or disc portion of theumbrella table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 b is a bottom plan view of the turntable or disc portion shown inFIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 c is a side view of the turntable or disc portion shown in FIGS.5 a and 5 b, shown in partial cross-section;

FIG. 6 is a detail of the center portion of the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3, shown with the bearing and turntable disc removed;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bearing bracket for use in an umbrella tablelike that shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the underside of the umbrellatable shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a table 10 according to the invention.The table 10 includes a tabletop 12 and an underlying table support 13.The upper surface 15 of the tabletop 12 is substantially flat, and mayhave any desired outer shape. For example, the tabletop 12 may becircular as shown. Alternatively, the table 10 may be square,rectangular, oval, or the like. The table support 13 can be configuredin any manner that stably supports the tabletop in an elevated position.Preferably, the table support 13 has a substantially open center andpermits an umbrella stand 22 to be positioned beneath the table 10 asshown. The tabletop 12 includes a central aperture or recess 14. Theaperture 14 is sized and shaped to receive a turntable or disc 30 asshown. The turntable 30 includes a central opening 16 for receiving ashaft 20 of an umbrella. The table 10 is desirably configured such thatthe umbrella shaft 20 can fully pass through the central opening 16 andextend to an underlying umbrella stand 22 as shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface 15 of the tabletop 12 and the topsurface 31 of the turntable 30 are substantially coplanar such that thesurfaces 15, 31 are substantially flush with each other. Accordingly,when the turntable 30 is not used, the turntable 30 does not diminishthe surface area of the table 10 or interfere with the continuity of thetable's surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the turntable or disc 30 is received in adisc-receiving aperture or recess 14 in the tabletop 12. The aperture 14desirably is centered in the tabletop 12 as shown, though the aperture14 may be located elsewhere in the tabletop 12 if desired. The turntable30 is received in the aperture 14. Preferably, the aperture 14 is onlyslightly larger in diameter than the turntable 30 such that the radialgap between the tabletop 12 and turntable 30 is minimized. A centralopening 16 extends through the turntable 30 as shown. The centralopening 16 is sized to receive shafts of conventional patio umbrellasthat typically range in diameter from about 1.38 to about 2 inches.Desirably, the opening 16 is at least about 2 inches in diameter.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show one arrangement for rotatably supporting theturntable 30 in the aperture 14. In the embodiment shown, a bearingsupport 40 is affixed to the underside of the tabletop 12. As shown inFIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the bearing bracket 40 includes a centrallypositioned hub 42. The hub 42 includes a bearing receptacle 43 and acentral bore 47. One or more brace members 44 connect the hub 42 to thetabletop 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the bearing bracket 40 may include anouter support 46. The outer support may be welded or otherwise attachedto the underside of the tabletop 12. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality ofbrace members 44 may connect the hub 42 to the outer support 46.

As shown in FIG. 4, a bearing such as a ball bearing assembly 50 isnested in the bearing receptacle 43 in the hub 42. The bearing assembly50 may include an outer race 52, an inner race 54, and a plurality ofball bearings 56 disposed between the inner and outer races. Preferably,the bearing assembly 50 is constructed of weather-resistant andcorrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, brass, or thelike. As shown in FIGS. 5 a-5 c, the turntable or disc 32 includes anouter edge 34 and a central opening 16. The underside of the turntabledesirably includes a cylindrical boss 37 and a shoulder 33. A pluralityof radial reinforcement ribs 39 may extend between the shoulder 33 and arim portion 38 along the outer edge 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the boss 44of the turntable 30 is configured to extend through the inner race 54 ofthe bearing assembly 50. Preferably, the outer diameter of the boss 36is about the same size as the inner diameter of the inner race 54 suchthat the boss 36 securely fits inside the bearing assembly 50. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 4, the shoulder 33 of the turntable 30 issized such that the shoulder 33 rests atop the inner race 54. Ifdesired, the bearing receptacle 43 can be sized such that the bearingassembly 50 can be pressed into the receptacle 43, thereby providing atight, interference fit. Similarly, the boss 36 on the turntable 30 canbe sized such that the boss 36 can be pressed into the bearing assembly50 to provide a tight, interference fit. The bearing assembly 50 permitsthe turntable 30 to freely rotate within the aperture 14 in the tabletop12.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the central opening 16 in the turntable 30permits a shaft 20 such as an umbrella pole to completely extend throughthe table 10. If desired, a collar or bushing 60 can be provided asshown in FIG. 4 to reduce the radial clearance between the shaft 20 andthe walls of the opening 16. The bushing 60 can be constructed of apolymeric material, for example, thereby providing a low-frictionbearing surface for the shaft 20 in the opening 16.

Preferably, the turntable 30 and tabletop 12 have matching orcomplementary ornamental appearances. If desired, it is possible toprovide a turntable 30 and tabletop 12 with patterns and or texturesthat make it difficult to detect any separation between the twocomponents. Preferably, a table according to the invention issubstantially constructed of one or more materials that are resistant todegradation caused by sun, rain, moisture, heat, cold, or other weatherconditions. For example, it is desirable to construct the majorcomponents of a table according to the invention of aluminum, and inparticular, of cast aluminum. Alternatively, such a table may beconstructed from cast iron, a polymeric material, or any other suitablematerial or materials.

The above description of embodiments of the invention are for thepurpose of describing various aspects of the invention, are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention thereto. Persons of ordinary skillin the art will understand that certain modifications may be made to thedescribed embodiments without departing from the invention. All suchmodifications are within the scope of the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An umbrella table comprising: (a) a tabletopcomprising at least one fixed portion, at least one recess, at least onerotating portion disposed in the recess, and at least one unobstructedfirst opening; and (b) a table support positioned below and supportingthe tabletop; (c) wherein the fixed portion has a substantially planartop surface and the rotating portion has an upper surface that issubstantially coplanar with the top surface (d) wherein afriction-reducing element is positioned proximate to the rotatingportion and at least partially supports the rotating portion in therecess; and (f) wherein the first opening is operable to receive anumbrella pole therethrough.
 22. An umbrella table according to claim 21wherein the tabletop further comprises an outer support that borders aperiphery of the recess and is substantially concentric with the recess,and at least one support member on the rim configured to locate andsupport the friction-reducing element proximate to the rotating portion.23. An umbrella table according to claim 22 wherein the support membercomprises a seat disposed proximate to the center of the outer support,the seat being configured to at least partially locate and support thefriction-reducing element.
 24. An umbrella table according to claim 23wherein the seat includes a second opening therein, and the rotatingportion includes a boss received in the second opening.
 25. An umbrellatable according to claim 23 wherein the support member further comprisesa seat support that extends between the outer support and the seat. 26.An umbrella table according to claim 21 and further comprising anumbrella support positioned beneath the rotating portion that isoperable to receive and vertically support at least a portion of anumbrella pole received in the first opening.
 27. An umbrella tableaccording to claim 21 wherein the table support includes a plurality ofspaced legs with a substantially open space between the legs, the openspace being capable of receiving an umbrella stand therein.
 28. Anumbrella table for use with an umbrella having an umbrella pole, thetable comprising: (a) a top portion including a substantially planar topsurface and a recess therein; (b) an outer support on the top portion,the outer support being substantially concentric with and proximate tothe recess; (c) a turntable having a substantially planar upper surfaceand an unobstructed first opening extending therethrough; and (d) aturntable support on the outer support; (e) wherein the turntable is atleast partially rotatably and vertically supported by the turntablesupport such that the top surface and upper surface are substantiallycoplanar and the turntable is substantially free to rotate within therecess when the umbrella pole is received in the first opening.
 29. Anumbrella table according to claim 28 wherein the turntable includes aboss, the first opening extends through the boss, the turntable supportincludes a seat with a second opening therein, and the boss is rotatablyreceived in the second opening.
 30. An umbrella table according to claim29 and further including at least one seat support extending between theouter support and the seat.
 31. An umbrella table according to claim 28and further comprising an umbrella support beneath the turntable that isoperable to receive and vertically support at least a portion of theumbrella pole when the umbrella pole is received in the first opening.32. An umbrella table according to claim 28 and further comprising atable support under the top portion and including a plurality of spacedlegs with a substantially open space between the legs, the open spacebeing capable of receiving an umbrella stand therein.
 33. An umbrellatable according to claim 28 wherein the outer support comprises a ring.34. An umbrella table according to claim 33 wherein the ring has asubstantially cylindrical shape.